Sounds like you're insecure about something and you are using your intellectual prowess to make up for a perceived lack. Your insecurity is probably resting on

Sounds like you're insecure about something and you are using your intellectual prowess to make up for a perceived lack. Your insecurity is probably resting on something your father did not provide for you, I'm basing that statement on the fact that another male "stung" you; indicating you projected your Animus (shadow masculine self created by father figure) onto him. Introspection/meditation is your tool to the inner self; there you will find confidence, security, and peace. Sophrosyne (moral sanity; moderation through true self-knowledge) is the state of mind you will attain when you honestly practice not caring about what other people think, go within rather than without (introspect/meditate), and discipline yourself. From the looks of it, you've begun the alchemical path of transformation. Your propensity for intellectualism can help you here, C. G. Jung has created a comprehensive intellectual framework of the human psyche that uses symbolism, alchemy, and allegory to model the psyche and its processes in a way that makes sense. You would benefit from casually reading some his material and applying it when you can; more rigorous application will make a noticeable impact on your psyche. So, yes, stop trying to be smart and just be smart. Realize that your parents cannot and never will provide everything you need for a whole Self, that certain aspects must be cultivated within you. This is one of those facets. Kudos to recognizing it and even more kudos to your asking for help - psychologically speaking, asking "others" for help means you are asking the rest of yourself for help; just remember we can't give all the answers since we aren't you, the best answers are given by the members within you.